At TPM Cafe, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) discusses his proposed Food and Farm Bill of Rights.
There’s one item I have a particular problem with:
Americans have a right to local supplies of fresh food: Too many Americans do not have the option of buying affordable, locally-grown fresh food. We deserve a food and farm policy that includes programs that deliver healthy food to all communities, regardless of location, class, or economic standing
It sounds nice, but I have a very real, practical question. Consider New York City. Depending on how you define the metro area, you’re talking about an urbanized area that’s home to, what, 15-20 million people.
How much farmland is necessary to locally provide food for 15-20 million people?
Compare that to to just how much land is available for farming.
Am I the only person that sees a problem?